Joseph Sherman has initiated a civil suit against Thalia Graves and attorney Gloria Allred, asserting that they attempted to blackmail him to testify against Sean Combs. His allegations come in the wake of a lawsuit filed by Graves, which he claims he had no part in. The ongoing legal saga raises questions about both Allred's motives and past associations.
Joseph Sherman Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Thalia Graves and Gloria Allred
Joseph Sherman Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Thalia Graves and Gloria Allred
Former bodyguard to Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Joseph Sherman, claims defamation and emotional distress, alleging blackmail attempts by Thalia Graves.
In a striking legal twist, Joseph Sherman, a former bodyguard for music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs, has launched a civil lawsuit against Thalia Graves and her attorney Gloria Allred in the Southern District of New York. Filed on Friday, this lawsuit alleges defamation and emotional distress, purportedly in response to a previous lawsuit filed by Graves and Allred on September 24, 2024, which implicated Sherman alongside Combs in her accusations.
The foundation of Sherman's suit rests on the claim that he had ceased his employment with Combs in 1999 and had no involvement in events of 2001, when Graves alleges she was raped by Combs and Sherman. In fact, Sherman insists he has never even met Graves. He claims that Graves attempted to coerce him into providing false testimony against Combs, presenting text messages as evidence of what he calls her blackmail: “if you will be my witness against Diddy, then my attorneys will leave you out of any proceedings…”
This legal encounter has drawn significant public scrutiny, especially regarding the reputation of Gloria Allred. Critics allege that this case reflects a broader pattern of misconduct within her legal approach and question whether it is part of a concerted effort to undermine the credibility of victims of Combs. Notably, Allred is the only attorney among those suing Combs who has now been counter-sued. The legitimacy of Graves's recent claims has faced skepticism, particularly following Sherman’s public rejection of the accusations and his revelations about the text messages he received from Graves.
The controversy widens when examining Allred's connections to former Combs attorney Mark Geragos. This pair has been referenced as "two sides of the same coin," with allegations linking them to a series of moral and ethical breaches in past high-profile cases, including the Michael Jackson molestation trial and the Scott Peterson murder trial. Accusations of witness tampering, evidence manipulation, and dubious legal alliances circulate around both attorneys.
Adding another layer of complexity is the controversial figure Anthony Pellicano, a former private investigator accused of running a criminal racket who reportedly worked for both Allred and Geragos at various times. His notoriety includes associations with other high-profile clients and potentially criminal activities, further casting a shadow over the initiatives endorsed by his legal counterparts.
Despite the dim outlook on Allred's legal reputation, she has faced numerous allegations throughout her career. Critics argue that her actions may jeopardize legitimate claims of sexual assault victims and undermine the #MeToo movement's intent. Darnell D. Crosland, Sherman’s attorney, emphasizes the profound damage false accusations can inflict on genuine victims of sexual predation, claiming that these fabrications disrupt the larger narrative of real cases.
In this unfolding legal drama, the effects ripple through the public discourse on sexual misconduct accusations, as observers call for a thorough examination of Allred and her relationships in light of the allegations raised in Sherman's countersuit.
The foundation of Sherman's suit rests on the claim that he had ceased his employment with Combs in 1999 and had no involvement in events of 2001, when Graves alleges she was raped by Combs and Sherman. In fact, Sherman insists he has never even met Graves. He claims that Graves attempted to coerce him into providing false testimony against Combs, presenting text messages as evidence of what he calls her blackmail: “if you will be my witness against Diddy, then my attorneys will leave you out of any proceedings…”
This legal encounter has drawn significant public scrutiny, especially regarding the reputation of Gloria Allred. Critics allege that this case reflects a broader pattern of misconduct within her legal approach and question whether it is part of a concerted effort to undermine the credibility of victims of Combs. Notably, Allred is the only attorney among those suing Combs who has now been counter-sued. The legitimacy of Graves's recent claims has faced skepticism, particularly following Sherman’s public rejection of the accusations and his revelations about the text messages he received from Graves.
The controversy widens when examining Allred's connections to former Combs attorney Mark Geragos. This pair has been referenced as "two sides of the same coin," with allegations linking them to a series of moral and ethical breaches in past high-profile cases, including the Michael Jackson molestation trial and the Scott Peterson murder trial. Accusations of witness tampering, evidence manipulation, and dubious legal alliances circulate around both attorneys.
Adding another layer of complexity is the controversial figure Anthony Pellicano, a former private investigator accused of running a criminal racket who reportedly worked for both Allred and Geragos at various times. His notoriety includes associations with other high-profile clients and potentially criminal activities, further casting a shadow over the initiatives endorsed by his legal counterparts.
Despite the dim outlook on Allred's legal reputation, she has faced numerous allegations throughout her career. Critics argue that her actions may jeopardize legitimate claims of sexual assault victims and undermine the #MeToo movement's intent. Darnell D. Crosland, Sherman’s attorney, emphasizes the profound damage false accusations can inflict on genuine victims of sexual predation, claiming that these fabrications disrupt the larger narrative of real cases.
In this unfolding legal drama, the effects ripple through the public discourse on sexual misconduct accusations, as observers call for a thorough examination of Allred and her relationships in light of the allegations raised in Sherman's countersuit.
